Mary Jo Shannon Slick is right that Hoover High School's change in graduation location is a "civics lesson." However, it is a lesson in the new American civics: threats of litigation from big-money organizations that are not part of the community.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation is nothing more than a big-money bully threatening the North Canton City School District with a several-million-dollar lawsuit.

Having attended a Hoover graduation at Faith Family Church, I know that there is no religious symbol or phrase in sight beyond a cross on the outside of the building, and there is no solicitation, advertisement or invitation to worship. There is complete freedom from religion, which should please the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Our schools teach children to be tolerant, respectful and nonjudgmental. The parent who brought in the Freedom from Religion Foundation shows tremendous intolerance and is using the organization to do nothing more than bully the community. It doesn't seem to matter that there is no religion or religious symbolism going on, just that the graduation ceremony will be held in a room located in a church.

I am hopeful that the child whose parent filed this complaint is better able to make his or her way in the world than is his or her parent. I am hopeful that he or she will be able to see the world's great sights, visit other countries, take part in events and appreciate cultures and religions without fear that he or she will be indoctrinated and ruined by merely being in a place that calls itself a church, a synagogue, a temple or a mosque.